The Best Viral Videos of 2012

Every year we see hundreds of new videos posted to YouTube that grab our attention: popular talk show clips, posts from our personal channel subscriptions, or the newest beloved viral videos. We stepped up to the challenge to round up some of the most popular viral videos of 2012. We have everything from Kristen Bell’s sloth meltdown on Ellen to Psy’s original Gangnam Style vid, plus a few others you may or may not have heard of!Did we miss any? Which one is your favorite?

PSY’s “Gangnam Style”It’s topped the American music charts for weeks on end and has just shy of a billion views on YouTube. Some of the greatest videos stem from the best, so clicking through all the dance videos choreographed to Psy’s hit may be just as entertaining, although our favorite video spawn are theChristmas andHalloween light displays set to the single.

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YouTube
Photo: PSY's "Gangnam Style" Video

Epic Rap Battles of History: Barack Obama vs. Mitt RomneyThis may be a little rough around the edges for the kids, but in the wake of the 2012 election, this popular Epic Rap Battles of History installment was just what we needed. If you’ve never heard of ERBH, this is definitely the place to start. All of their releases are as well received as they are written and performed.

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YouTube
Photo: Kristen Bell Has a Meltdown Over a Sloth (VIDEO)

Carly Rae Jepson’s “Call Me Maybe”Carly came close to winning Canadian Idol Season 5 in 2007, but walked away with third place. She could have faded into oblivion, but the release of “Call Me Maybe” on YouTube in March started the ball rolling toward millions of views and launched her into stardom.

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YouTube
Photo: Cary Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" Video

YouTube Challenge: I Told My Kid I Ate All Their Halloween Candy AgainAs a follow-up to one of the cutest videos we have ever seen, Jimmy Kimmel once again called American parents to action against their adorable and extremely gullible children. The reactions of these children when they learn their parents supposedly ate all their hard-earned Halloween candy without them are both sad and precious. Check out the original 2011 prankhere!

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YouTube
Photo: I Told My Kid I Ate All Their Halloween Candy Again

Britain’s Got Talent: Charlotte and Jonathon Opera DuoOur friends across the pond have some seriously talented youngsters! It was an absolute pleasure to watch Simon Cowell roll his eyes when the British opera duo took the stage, and even better when he was forced to eat his words during the first few bars of their astounding performance!

Please Move the Deer CrossingAt first we thought this radio show caller named Donna had a truly deep concern for drivers’ safety — then we realized that she was just completely confused. After the video went viral, the radio station followed up with Donna, and she said she “never really thought about it enough to realize that I was kind of being ridiculous.”

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YouTube
Photo: Radio Caller Says We Should Move the Deer Crossings (VIDEO)